Photos by Jerry Hankins
The CB East girls’ team captured the program’s first ever District One AAA title with a 2-0 win over Downingtown West. To view photos of Saturday's historic win, please click on the following link: http://sos.exposuremanager.com/g/110715_cb_east_vs_downingtown_west_jh
By Ben Winderman for SuburbanOneSports.com
Clapping politely as the players from Downingtown West received their District One runner-up medals, the undefeated Patriots of CB East patiently waited along the home stands touchline. 
An ephemeral sweetness informed this moment, however, because as the last of the 10th seeded Whippets accepted their second place silvers, the spotlight shone an unmistakable top-seeded gold. One by one, victorious Patriot players stepped forward, “Paige Weiss, Briana Talbot, Katie Bloom…” Triumphant 2-0 thanks to a pair of 2nd half goals, “Dina Henderson, Lauren Patrick, Maddie Nesteruk…” They accepted congratulations from their coaches, “Brooke Allen, Isabel Hunter, Dana Weinstein…” They acknowledged cheers from supporters who’d patiently been waiting too. “Abby Brown, Carly Whiton, Morgan Duncan…”
All traces of courtesy disappeared, “Emily Squillace, Gillian Kane, Jillian Pawelski…” all moral victories forgotten, “Andrea Jakabuwski, Kate Schlotter, Hayley Smigley…” All medals distributed and donned, yet still more Patriots to applaud: “Gianna Tulio, Katie Dinardo, Katie Dolf…” a veritable army of student athletes epitomizing a program known for excellence on the pitch and inclusion for the willing, “Ali Lapioli, Cailyn Hankins, Monica Pensa…” A division of Yankee Doodles and a legacy of Patriot perfection; The 2015 Central Bucks East Women’s Soccer team: undefeated/just once tied, Continental SOL title, and now District One AAA Champions!
Tied 0-0 at the break, both teams enjoyed sporadic moments of pressure during the first half, but neither fully imposed its will. Patriots’ keeper Katie Dolf was up to a knuckling Sydney Amparo volley from 20 yards out in the 14th minute while Whippets keeper Morgan O’Loughlin steered away an Emma Loving blast 22 minutes in.
CB East coach Paul Eisold praised players on both sides of the ball acknowledging that opportunities were sparse and the defending was sound. For his team, savvy and reliable backs Abby Brown, Emily Horn, Paige Weiss, Briana Talbot, and Katie Bloom supported each other seamlessly tonight, and slowly, Eisold’s squad 
gained the game’s upper hand.
“For these seniors,” Eisold smiled, “this is a moment to savor. These girls went to states as freshmen, and last season as juniors they advanced to the state’s semifinal match.”
Now as seniors this group won’t be satisfied with second, so as the second half started the Patriots began to methodically impose their will on the Whippets.
“This is huge for us,” nodded senior midfielder Maddie Myrtetus, whose steady and heady performance in the center of the park stabilized East’s play all game.
In the 42nd minute, Brown was able to redirect an Emma Loving flick backwards to an open Delaney Kennedy. With her head down and technique impeccable, the sophomore struck the rolling ball with pace, keeping it down and on target. Kennedy’s shot found the back of the net.
“We stayed the course,” explained Eisold in terms of his team’s tactics in the second half. “Emma (Loving) draws constant attention, so we were hoping Delaney would be able to make her impact.”
With a 1-0 advantage, East refused to compromise its attack, and in the 48th minute, Downingtown’s Gina Peraino found Amparo in the midfield, and immediately, the dynamic freshman ran at the East defense. Patriot junior Megan Mannato was up to the challenge, tackling the ball cleanly and immediately initiating the counter.
“Mannato was brilliant,” Eisold raved and minutes later she was rewarded by tallying East’s second goal. 
Downingtown West’s Malana Paternoster saved the initial shot. but her clearance found its way to Mannato whose technique and poise was impeccable.
Kristen Obetz did well in the East goal in the second half, refusing to give up rebounds as Downingtown attackers crashed, and Patriot star Emma Loving showed her versatility, connecting with midfielders Hannah Zach and Paige Weiss to limit not only their opponent’s opportunities but also their will to attack. Loving knows what it means to sacrifice as unfortunately she absorbed the frustration of an opponent in the 75th minute of play.
“Emma always has a target on her back,” explained tried and true defender Emily Horn.
“I’m getting used to it,” smiled Loving after the game, her eye swollen like a welter-weight in the 12th round, her legend growing with each playoff victory.
“We’re not satisfied,” insisted Myrtetus the East midfielder. “We’re going to take this one game at a time and keep playing for each other.
The Patriots will do just that on Tuesday night, as they open their final quest. Only one trophy remains unclaimed for these Perfect Patriots. They have the grit, the Zach, the Weiss, the Talbot, the Brown, and the Loving. They have the “Perseverance,” a word that players chanted together near the touchline.
“We’re not satisfied,” claim the first-time District 1 Champs.
Congratulations are well deserved – everything this team and program has to celebrate has been earned.
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